How St. Petersburg got a perfect score in the new LGBTQ equality index

St. Petersburg is one of six cities in Florida, and one of 94 cities nationwide, that earned 100 percent on the 2020 Municipal Equality Index.

The report, produced annually by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, measures the protections that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people have in the cities they call home.

St. Petersburg has received a perfect score in every year since 2014, according to Jim Nixon, the city’s LGBTQ liaison and manager at Metro’s LGBTQ Welcome Centers.

Congratulation to the @CityofStPetersburg! Perfect Score 7th year in a row! We join Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee, Ft Lauderdale, and Wilton Manors with a perfect score in 2020. https://t.co/rM4iMYwUNs

— Jim Nixon (@jimnixon727) December 3, 2020

Here’s the scorecard for St. Petersburg.

Eighteen Florida cities were included in the 2020 index. The average score for cities in Florida was 81 out of 100 points, which falls above the national average of 64, according to the report.

“This year’s Municipal Equality Index underscores the importance that mayors and local officials play in creating safe and inclusive communities – even if there has been a lack of leadership at the federal level. As we look toward advancing equality during the Biden-Harris Administration, it is critical that we continue to strengthen LGBTQ protections at the local level. Local leaders, coast to coast, continue to show that they are willing to advance LGBTQ equality for their constituents, and we are thrilled to continue building inclusive communities across the country,” said Alphonso David, president of the Human Rights Campaign.